ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Environmental Management System



Environmental Management System

Introduction

Following the quality procedures in place in companies in the 1980s, Environmental Management refers to methods of management and organization of the company emerged in the 1990s. It is an approach which is still innovative because it aims to consider systematically the impact of activities business on the environment, to assess this impact and to reduce it. It is therefore to integrate the environment into management and business strategy. The Management Environment is built into a sustainable development perspective: it implies interdependence between economic development and environmental quality. If identify and control risks of direct or indirect impact of company activities on the environment are the first terms of the approach, it is also based on search for continuous improvement in environmental performance. It involves therefore in time management. Nevertheless, an approach to environmental management can be expanded to different levels, which is the more formalized the establishment of a Management System (EMS). An EMS can be recognized by one third, through a certification (see Chapter III).

The management tool of environmental management

EMS is an internal management tool that promotes the early integration of objectives in other specific environmental management systems and decision processes. It establishes the organizational structure, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources. This is primarily a management technique, which relies on a systematic approach and specific objectives. This assumes the commitment of makers at the highest hierarchical level. This is why an EMS is based on a effective environmental policy, essential starting point of the approach.

Issues and Interests of a Management System

The challenge and primary focus of an environmental management approach is to have a tool to coordinate all the environmental initiatives in a comprehensive and cross. But very different motivations also come into play account:

Economic benefits

If the establishment of an EMS represents a financial investment, this investment is offset by cost control induced by the approach, including through the streamlining practices. For example, some EMS driver avoids or reduces some costs, caused by environmental pollution or accidents: costs of rehabilitation the environment, fines, damages, increased insurance premiums and bank interest rates. In addition, the environmental analysis may reveal dysfunction and management lead to improved expenditure control: we can optimize costs related to energy, water and raw materials or waste management. One can also obtain a better smoothing of investment costs, as they are integrated in a continuous improvement framework. Environmental management is based on long-term prospects. It therefore limits the risks of money losses arising from the actions not consistent with each other or to errors induced by a short-term thinking.

Benefits at the organizational level

In terms of internal operations, the EMS provides a management approach that has main advantage of establishing a structure within the organization: it allows generating time savings, efficiency, and competitiveness. The EMS aims to theoretically performance improvement and employee engagement. This approach tends to break down barriers between different departments, to develop working methods cross at give meaning and coherence ...